June has come to a close. Satellite season is just about over. Before you know it, there will be actual college football to talk about once again.
In the meantime, however, you'll have to settle for this week's Big Ten Q&A, where we'll tackle which player in the conference will be drafted first next spring, Ohio State's recruiting class, Michigan's pursuit of becoming the Big Ten's best and predictions for every individual Big Ten award.
As always, you can send me your questions each week on Twitter @BenAxelrod.
Let's get started.
Looking at the plethora of way-too-early mock drafts that are currently available, there shouldn't be any shortage of Big Ten options at the top of teams' draft boards in 2017. In Bleacher Report Lead Draft Writer Matt Miller's latest projections, four Big Ten players find themselves selected in the first round, although a lot can obviously change between now and next April.
But while Miller currently favors Ohio State linebacker Raekwon McMillan to be the first player from the conference taken, I'm turning my attention up north. He may have only played one season, but in his lone year Jabrill Peppers has shown the potential to be a dynamic prospect—the type a team would be willing to take with a top-five pick.
"Get ready for the comparisons between Jabrill Peppers and Jalen Ramsey. At 6'1", 210 pounds, Peppers is a mix between a cornerback and a safety and he makes some ridiculous plays in the Michigan secondary," Miller wrote of Peppers, who he currently slots 10th to the Miami Dolphins. "The former 5-star recruit has been turning heads since high school, and now that he's unleashed in Jim Harbaugh's system, Peppers is making NFL-level plays."
As he takes over a new role at outside linebacker in first-year Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown's system, Peppers is only diversifying an already versatile skill-set. Considering the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Jalen Ramsey fifth overall this past spring, a top-10 selection certainly isn't out of the question for Peppers, given his ability to impact games from multiple positions on either side of the ball.
Other candidates for the first Big Ten player selected next spring include McMillan, Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell, Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis, Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner and Iowa cornerback Desmond King. Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett is the wild card of the bunch, given his natural passing prowess, but untypical size at his position.
For now, however, it's Peppers who has the biggest upside of the bunch. And the Michigan safety could very well find himself reaching that potential in the coming year, as he adds yet another tool to his already impressive repertoire.
Earlier this week, I wrote that Ohio State's 2017 class has the potential to be the best in Urban Meyer's career.
And given some of the hauls the three-time national champion head coach has produced throughout his time at Florida and in Columbus, that would certainly give the Buckeyes' 2017 class a chance at being remembered as one of college football's best ever.
The problem, however, is that while Ohio State's upcoming class won't be short on talent, it will likely be short on numbers. At the moment, the Buckeyes lay claim to 14 commits and, given the current scholarship situation on the OSU roster, that number probably won't get any higher than the low-20s, if that.
That could make it tough for the Buckeyes to hold onto their No. 1 ranking, let alone have a class that's considered the best in college football history. But from a quality of player standpoint, Ohio State's 2017 class will certainly be in the conversation—so long as its highly touted prospects live up to the hype.
The key to how the Buckeyes' current recruiting cycle will be remembered will be the performance of Tate Martell, the top-ranked dual threat quarterback in the 2017 class. While Ohio State's quarterback depth chart is currently stacked—as is the rest of its 2017 class—Martell will arrive on campus with no shortage of expectations, with the possibility to succeed Barrett's time behind center in Columbus.
If Martell proves worthy and 5-star prospects Josh Myers, Shaun Wade and Wyatt Davis serve as cornerstones of the Buckeyes program moving forward, Ohio State's 2017 class will have secured a spot in history.
But as impressive as the star rankings of the class are now, it will ultimately be performance that determines how this class is remembered.
This question has been asked several times this offseason and the thing about it I always find funny is this: While there's certainly a strong case to be made for Ohio State to be considered the top program in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes aren't even the reigning Big Ten champs.
In fact, not only did Michigan State win last year's conference title, but the Spartans have won two of the past three—beating Ohio State twice in the past three years in order to do so.
Yet, I agree that it's the Buckeyes who are the current cream of the crop in the conference, with Michigan seemingly not far behind. In the 2016 recruiting cycle, the rival programs recruited head and shoulders above the rest of the conference and their 2017 classes appear to be following a similar trend.
Recruiting, however, is one thing. It's another to actually obtain on-field success.
Meyer has obviously done that, at a level higher than anybody else in the Big Ten and while his 10-3 debut was a solid start, Harbaugh still has work to do in Ann Arbor.
For now, I'd have to give Ohio State the nod as the conference's top program, with Michigan State not far behind based on on-field accomplishments alone. Michigan is obviously trending upward and how it performs in the coming year will be telling. But until the actual results are there, it's hard to move them past the Spartans, let alone the Buckeyes.
A quick rundown of my Big Ten individual award predictions, with a brief explanation on each:
Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year, Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year: Ohio State's J.T. Barrett
With Ohio State's starting quarterback spot no longer left to debate, look for Barrett to bounce back from his up-and-down 2016. The absence of Ezekiel Elliott should only boost the numbers of the junior signal-caller, who will serve as the primary offensive option on the Big Ten's top team.
Nagurski Woodson Defensive Player of the Year, Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year: Michigan's Jabrill Peppers
While his position may be tough to nail down, Pepper's impact in the coming year will be apparent. Given the numbers past players have put up in the same spot in Brown's system, the Wolverines sophomore should have no problem compiling eye-popping statistics, regardless of where he's lining up.
Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year: Ohio State's Pat Elflein
While centers rarely receive acclaim worthy of individual awards, Pat Elflein has already proven himself capable of playing at an All-American level. Shifting from right guard to center, Elflein will provide a steadying force up front for what should be one of the conference's top offenses.
Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year: Michigan State's Malik McDowell
Shilique Calhoun may have received the acclaim, but by season's end, it was McDowell making the biggest impact on the Spartans' defensive line. With the versatility to play both inside and out, the former 5-star prospect should wreak havoc in opposing backfields while solidifying his status as a potential first-round pick.
Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year: Ohio State's Nick Bosa
With Joey Bosa headed to the NFL, the Buckeyes find themselves replacing one of college football's most dominant defensive players from the past three seasons. Luckily, Meyer has recruited the perfect replacement in Joey's younger brother, Nick, who some believe has the potential to be even better than this year's No. 3 overall pick.
Dave McClain/Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year: Nebraska's Mike Riley
Despite last season's disappointing 5-7 regular season record, the now low bar in Lincoln could actually work in Mike Riley's favor in terms of coach of the year voting. If the Cornhuskers can stay in contention in the Big Ten West throughout the 2016 campaign, Riley should receive credit for his quick turnaround.
Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year: Wisconsin's Corey Clement
Injuries and off-field issues prevented Corey Clement from filling the void left by Melvin Gordon III a year ago, but now he's back in Madison for his senior season. With a new outlook and approach, Clement could find himself one of the top running backs in the Big Ten after rushing for more than 900 yards as Gordon's backup two years ago.
Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year: Nebraska's Jordan Westerkamp
If Nebraska's going to make some noise in the Big Ten West, it's going to need to do so through Riley's pro-style passing game. And if the Huskers can do that, it would mean big numbers for Jordan Westerkamp, who could go down as the most accomplished wideout in Nebraska history by season's end.
Tatum–Woodson Defensive Back of the Year: Iowa's Desmond King
After winning the Thorpe Award in 2015, King became the first recipient of said honor to bypass the NFL draft and return to school. In doing so, he reclaims his mark as not only the best defensive back in the Big Ten, but the entire country.
Kwalick–Clark Tight End of the Year: Michigan's Jake Butt
After winning the award a year ago, Jake Butt opted to return to Ann Arbor for his senior season. With the Michigan offense only improving in Year 2 under Jim Harbaugh, there's no reason the Pickerington, Ohio, native shouldn't be able to go back-to-back.
Bakken–Andersen Kicker of the Year: Indiana's Griffin Oakes
As a sophomore, Griffin Oakes finished second in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (82.8) and first in field goals made (24). With another year of experience under his belt, he should only get better while kicking for one of the conference's most explosive offenses.
Eddleman–Fields Punter of the Year: Ohio State's Cameron Johnston
Throughout his career, Cameron Johnston has served as one of the Big Ten's best punters. Back in Columbus for his senior season, the Australian native will have one last chance to showcase his booming leg, along with the athletic ability that makes him a threat to take off running any time he's on the field.
Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year: Maryland's William Likely
Despite only playing in 11 games, William Likely led the nation in combined return yards in 2015 with 1,197, taking back three kicks for scores. The inaugural winner of the Return Specialist of the Year award in 2015, Likely should be looking at a repeat performance in the coming season.
Ben Axelrod is Bleacher Report's Big Ten lead writer. You can follow him on Twitter @BenAxelrod. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes were obtained firsthand. Recruiting and class ratings courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.
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